Newry, Mourne and Down cops vow to tackle drug supply as seizures rise

Cannabis plants which were found during the searches in Culloville.

The PSNI said that “tackling the supply, misuse and impact of drug use is a priority for local police in Newry, Mourne and Down,” after statistics show that drug seizures locally have risen by a third from 2018 to 2023.

There were 778 seizures of illicit drugs in Newry, Mourne and Down in 2023 compared to 586 in 2018, a rise of 32.8%. These figures are much higher in comparison to other policing districts, such as the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area which saw a rise of 2.9% and East Belfast actually saw a decrease of 16%.

In Northern Ireland, only West Belfast had a significantly higher increase of drug seizures than the local area, with a 43% rise.

District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said that the statistics showed the PSNI’s “continued determination to seize illicit drugs and arrest those involved in their supply and use.”

Superintendent Norman Haslett and Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Hill with drugs which were recently seized in the south Armagh area.

DC Supt Haslett said: “I believe that pro-active policing and an increased confidence in policing in the area has encouraged local people to continue to report illegal activity.

“The Police Service has a service-wide approach that focuses on supply, misuse and the impact of drug use.

PROACTIVE

“We conduct proactive activity and respond to information received from the community.”

The statistical increase of drug seizures has been highlighted by recent high-profile incidents.

In December, a man was arrested and charged is in relation to a search of a lorry which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected cocaine worth an estimated £10 million – the largest seizure of suspected cocaine in Northern Ireland.

Furthermore, recently a man was charged following the search of a property in Culloville which uncovered cannabis plants and a large amount of dried cannabis with a combined estimated street value of approximately £100,000.

Sinn Fein MLA Sinead Ennis said: “These latest figures are very concerning and require urgent focus and attention.

“We have been working with all statutory agencies to tackle these issues and are actively campaigning for increase investment into youth and drug addiction services.”

UUP councillor David Taylor said: “I welcome the various drug seizures and arrests which have taken place.

“I believe police in our district are taking a strategic, pro-active and robust approach to removing drugs from our streets but there is obviously much more work to do in this regard.

“The police must be provided with necessary personnel and intelligence resources to continue to increase their effectiveness in combatting the criminal gangs involved and in turn reducing the supply of drugs available within local communities.”

Sinn Fein councillor Declan Murphy said: “I see it as a positive that the PSNI has been more successful in recent times regarding drug seizures.

“I commend the level of community involvement in relation to the latest figures and successes.

“Keeping the focus on drug gangs and their criminal associates will make it more difficult for drug dealing to continue undetected.”

DC Supt Haslett has appealed to anyone with information about the illicit supply, possession or misuse or drugs.

He said: “ Please call police in confidence on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/”